Heavy rain to follow morning of icy roads and accidents

January 11. 2014 10:41AMMANCHESTER — Icy roads Saturday are leading to accidents in parts of the state, including a dozen in Manchester alone, police said.

“It’s like bumper cars out there this morning,” Manchester police Sgt. Craig Russo said. “People sliding everywhere.” He said there were probably a dozen or more accidents between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.

In Wakefield, authorities said a section of the Spaulding Turnpike was closed due to a serious crash mid-morning Saturday. Police didn’t know which direction was shuttered or how long it would be closed.

A freezing rain advisory, lifted in southern area, is in effect until 1 p.m. for most of the state, the notable exceptions being Hillsborough and Cheshire counties.

The National Weather Service also posted a flood watch that goes into effect Saturday afternoon across the entire state, lasting into Sunday, as forecasters expect 1 to 2 inches of rain. Temperatures are expected to rise to around 50 Saturday.

“The heavy rainfall and mild temperatures may lead to ice jams, which could cause flooding,” the weather service said. “The threat of ice jams will continue into Sunday as temperatures will remain above freezing.”